SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Josh Perkins had 18 of his career-high 26 points in the second half and Gonzaga beat Santa Clara 79-77 on Thursday.
Perkins secured the win with Gonzaga leading 78-77 when he gathered the rebound of his intentionally missed free throw with 2.5 seconds left. He went back to the line with 0.4 seconds left to make 1 of 2 for the final score.
Kyle Wiltjer had 20 points, Eric McClellan scored 15 and Domantas Sabonis added 11 for the Bulldogs (11-3, 3-0 West Coast Conference).
Gonzaga made four straight field-goal attempts to lead 73-69 on Wiltjer’s jumper with 1:53 left. Jared Brownridge quickly answered with a 3-pointer to get Santa Clara (4-11, 0-3) within one, but Gonzaga made five of its next six free throws to hold the lead.
Brownridge finished 6 of 9 from 3-point range with 26 points. KJ Feagin scored 15 and Kai Healy added 10.
Gonzaga’s Karnowski has back surgery, our for rest of season
Gonzaga center Przemek Karnowski will miss the rest of the season after undergoing back surgery.
Bulldogs coach Mark Few said Karnowski had surgery on Thursday.
The 7-foot-1 center has been out since Nov. 27 due to a bulging disc and has missed six games. He averaged 8.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in five games.
Karnowski has been one of college basketball’s best big men the past three seasons, causing matchup problems with his size and footwork, while anchoring Gonzaga’s defense.
The Zags (11-3, 1-0 West Coast) opened the season No. 9 in The Associated Press Top 25, but dropped out of the poll in mid-December after two losses in three games.
Karnowski, a senior, could be eligible for a medical redshirt since he played in just five games.
